Skibladner is one of the world's oldest paddle steamers still in regular service. Built at Motala Verksted in Sweden in 1854-56 and assembled at Minnesund, she made her maiden voyage on 2 August 1856. The ship is 50.3 metres long, carries up to 230 passengers, and is powered by a triple-expansion steam engine producing 606 horsepower, rebuilt by Akers Mekaniske Verksted in 1888. She burns about 2,500 litres of oil per day and cruises at 12 knots.
The name comes from Norse mythology. Skíðblaðnir was the magical ship of the fertility god Freyr, built by dwarves. It could sail both sea and land, always had a fair wind, and could be folded up and carried in a pocket. The real Skibladner is less portable but has proven remarkably hard to sink. She has gone down and been raised several times over the decades.
The steamer was part of a transport chain. When the main railway from Oslo reached Eidsvoll in 1854, passengers continued north by boat across Mjøsa towards Gudbrandsdalen and Østerdalen. Today the route runs from Eidsvoll to Lillehammer, about 100 kilometres. A full traverse takes two days. There is no service on Mondays.
Skibladner was heritage-protected in 2005. Locals call her Mjøsas hvite svane, the White Swan of Mjøsa. The main departure point is Hamar harbour.
The name comes from Norse mythology. Skíðblaðnir was the magical ship of the fertility god Freyr, built by dwarves. It could sail both sea and land, always had a fair wind, and could be folded up and carried in a pocket. The real Skibladner is less portable but has proven remarkably hard to sink. She has gone down and been raised several times over the decades.
The steamer was part of a transport chain. When the main railway from Oslo reached Eidsvoll in 1854, passengers continued north by boat across Mjøsa towards Gudbrandsdalen and Østerdalen. Today the route runs from Eidsvoll to Lillehammer, about 100 kilometres. A full traverse takes two days. There is no service on Mondays.
Skibladner was heritage-protected in 2005. Locals call her Mjøsas hvite svane, the White Swan of Mjøsa. The main departure point is Hamar harbour.